Page 64 of Evergreen Christmas

“Now,” Carol Belle said, “without further ado, Eve will announce this year’s Christmas tree winner.”

Eve, standing to the left of Carol Belle, smiled and made her way to the microphone. She adjusted the height, the mic squealed briefly, then she tapped it with one finger and smiled.

“The judges just handed me the name of the owner of the winning Christmas tree,” Eve said, lifting a small piece of paper in her hand. She tucked her finger under one edge and dragged it across the fold, unsealing it. She unfolded it, read it, and, a wide smile spreading across her face, shouted, “This year’s winner of the Christmas tree contest is Jordyn Banks!”

The crowd gathered below the stage erupted in applause, yelling and shouting its approval.

“We’re all very proud of Jordyn,” Holly said, sweeping an arm in Jordyn’s direction. “As a newcomer, she’s thrown herself into our Christmas competition and given her all in every contest. The judges also wrote that they were impressed with the theme of her tree as it reflects the most important values of Noel, which include appreciating the beauty of our town, helping each other, and finding joy in the simple things in life.” She waved her hand, motioning for Jordyn to join her. “Come on, Jordyn. Accept your award, step up to the mic and say a few words.”

Nate glanced at Jordyn, who rose unsteadily to her feet. Instead of the exuberance he expected to see on her face, she seemed hesitant, unsure and a bit . . . regretful.

“Ms. Jordyn won!” Roxie shouted from her seat beside him. Watching Jordyn approach the microphone, she clapped her hands and smiled brighter. “Isn’t that wonderful, Daddy?”

Nate nodded and despite the uncertainty coursing through him at Jordyn’s anxious expression, he said, “Yes, it is. I’m very happy she won. She deserves it.”

And he truly meant it. He was thrilled Jordyn’s perfect Fraser fir had won, and didn’t feel the least bit disappointed that his tree had lost. But Jordyn didn’t seem to share the same excitement he and Roxie felt over her win.

The crowd continued applauding, but the clapping died down as Jordyn arrived at the microphone. Each of the Nanas hugged Jordyn, then stepped back, giving her room to speak.

“I, um . . .” Jordyn lifted one hand and tucked a wavy strand of her red hair behind her ear. Her fingers trembled. “Thank you for this award.” Her voice shook slightly. “And thank you for welcoming me to your town. Everyone has been so wonderful and kind.” Slowly, she turned her head, glancing in Nate and Roxie’s direction. “You’ve truly made this Christmas the most special it’s ever been for me.”

Despite her affectionate words, her gaze held resignation. The sight of it sent a wave of dread through Nate.

Jordyn faced the crowd again, lifted her chin and said, “But I’m afraid I can’t accept this award. I’m officially withdrawing my Fraser fir from the Christmas Tree competition.”

“Jordyn, what’s going on?” Eve asked. “What do you mean, you can’t accept the award?”

Jordyn winced as Eve, standing beside her at the microphone in the center of the stage, stared at her with a shocked expression. “I’m sorry, Eve. I know how much a new Christmas tree contest winner meant to you and the rest of the Nanas and how much you wanted Fabio Fraser in the town square.”

“Then, why?” Carol Belle walked across the stage and placed her hand on Jordyn’s arm.

“Give her a moment, Carol Belle,” Kandy said. Her gaze held Jordyn’s, sorrow and understanding in her eyes. “She knows what she’s doing.”

“But she worked so hard in the Christmas competition, and she decorated that tree so beautifully.” Carol Belle took Jordyn’s hands in hers and shook her head. “You’ve earned this!”

The crowd of onlookers standing below the stage clapped encouragingly and a few shouted for Jordyn to accept the award.

Jordyn glanced out at the crowd, her gaze scanning the familiar faces that looked up at her. Many of the people encouraging her to accept the award she recognized as having competed against her in several of the Christmas contests. Others, she remembered cheering her on during the Terrible Tinsel Triathlon and celebrating her first-place win with as much excitement as she felt.

She hated to disappoint all of them by turning down the award, but in her heart, she knew it was the right thing to do.

“I know how much winning the Christmas tree competition mattered to everyone competing this year,” she said as the encouraging cheers of the crowd died down. “And I feel awful about taking one of the top three spots on the stage that could have been given to someone else and then turning down the award, but . . .”

Inhaling deeply, she glanced over her shoulder at Nate and Roxie, the confused expressions on their faces sending a new wave of regret through her.

She forced herself to face the crowd again and continue. “I just don’t have the heart to cut down the Fraser fir at Chestnut Ridge. You see, that tree might be just another Christmas tree to some of you, but for me, it’s the first real Christmas tree I’ve ever had.” She smiled gently. “And even better, it’s growing right in the backyard of my new home! A home that I’ve truly grown to love.” She looked down and sighed. “It just doesn’t seem right to cut down that tree, put it on display in the town square for a few days and then toss it away at the end of the holiday.”

All eyes were on her, and she squirmed uncomfortably, twisting her hands together at her waist.

“I just think,” she stated firmly, “that a tree as perfect as that should be left right where it is and allowed to grow. That tree grew perfectly beautiful all on its own. It’s the most perfect Christmas tree I’ve ever seen, and it should be celebrated all year long. Not for just a short month or two at the end of the year.”

A hush settled over the crowd and Jordyn stepped away from the microphone as she said softly, “I’m sorry to disappoint you and disrupt the Christmas ceremony.” She walked away, pausing at the edge of the stage to turn and whisper to the Nanas, “I’m so sorry.”

Disgruntled groans and voices peppered the air as people in the crowd began discussing the new development.

Jordyn, however, didn’t stick around to take stock of the damage she’d caused to the little town’s annual Christmas holiday celebration. Instead, she exited the stage and walked across the town square to the parking lot as quickly as her high-heeled shoes would allow. She had every intention of going home, stuffing her face full of sugar-laden holiday treats, crawling into her warm bed, pulling the covers over her head and licking her wounds.

She’d lie low for the rest of the Christmas season, then, hopefully, the Nanas and Noel’s residents might forgive her.

---